By Tort Law Team 
Millions of Americans face serious health challenges that stop them from working. According to Social Security Administration data, the majority of initial disability applications are denied. For people in the Chicago area living with physical or mental impairments, the path to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits can feel overwhelming. That is where specialized help makes a real difference.
This article introduces the dedicated legal team at Nash Disability Law. You will learn about the experienced attorneys and support professionals behind nashdisabilitylaw.com Meet The Team Attorneys and how their focused approach to disability law delivers personal care and strong results for clients across Chicagoland.
Why Choosing Specialized Disability Representation Matters
The Social Security Disability system is complex. It involves strict medical and vocational rules, multiple levels of review, and long waits. Most people who apply without help face denials. Government studies show that claimants who bring representation to an Administrative Law Judge Hearing are far more likely to be approved.
Nash Disability Law focuses exclusively on disability claims. The firm does not handle personal injury, workers’ compensation, or other practice areas. This laser focus means every attorney and staff member understands the Bureau of Disability Determination Services process, residual functional capacity assessments, and the specific standards used by Chicago-area judges.
Clients benefit from a team structure that covers every stage of the claim. From the first phone call through the final benefits award, someone is monitoring the case and preparing the strongest possible record.
The Foundation: Tom Nash and the Firm’s Origins
Tom Nash founded Nash Disability Law in Chicago in 1989. Before starting the firm, he worked as a staff attorney for a Social Security administrative law judge. That insider experience showed him how the system often turned away people with legitimate, work-ending impairments.
He built the firm around a simple principle: treat every client like a neighbor, not a number. Over more than three decades, that philosophy helped thousands of individuals and families in Illinois and Indiana secure the benefits they earned. The attorneys who work there today continue that client-first tradition.
The firm has grown into a team of more than a dozen attorneys supported by skilled case managers, paralegals, and administrative professionals. Together they bring hundreds of years of combined legal experience focused solely on Social Security Disability and SSI claims.
Meet Lawrence Mabes: Managing Attorney and Principal
Lawrence Mabes leads Nash Disability Law as Managing Attorney and Principal. He joined the firm in 2016 and assumed leadership in 2025 after years of close mentoring by Tom Nash.
Lawrence holds law degrees from Universidad Finis Terrae in Chile and Fordham University School of Law. He is admitted in Illinois, New York, and Chile, and he is fluent in both English and Spanish. That bilingual ability helps many Chicago-area families who prefer to discuss their cases in Spanish.
He has represented thousands of clients at disability hearings. His approach combines careful medical analysis with clear communication. Clients appreciate that he prepares them thoroughly for testimony and explains each step in plain language. Lawrence previously served as Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Social Security Law Committee and remains active in the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives.
When he is not advocating for clients, he is an avid tennis player who values staying active. His leadership keeps the firm focused on personal attention and strong advocacy.
Key Members of the Legal Team
Demetra D. Geller: Intake Leadership and Full-Process Insight
Demetra Geller leads the Intake Team alongside Amy Altbach. She is often one of the first attorneys a new client meets. She evaluates potential SSDI and SSI cases, explains the process clearly, and helps people feel comfortable taking the first step.
Admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2008, Demetra joined Nash Disability Law the following year. She graduated with high honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law and earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University. She has worked across intake, case management, and hearings, giving her a complete view of how claims succeed or fail.
Demetra has also handled cases before the United States Railroad Retirement Board. She previously chaired the Chicago Bar Association Social Security Disability Law Committee and remains active in the legal community. Her Greek Orthodox faith and family experiences shape a deep commitment to treating every client with dignity and respect.
Amy J. Altbach: Childhood SSI Specialist and Long-Time Advocate
Amy Altbach has practiced with Nash Disability Law since 1997, making her one of the firm’s longest-serving attorneys. She helps lead intake and has particular expertise in childhood SSI claims.
With children of her own, Amy understands the challenges families face when a child has developmental or medical disabilities. She has appeared before dozens of judges in the Chicago metropolitan area and has questioned countless medical and vocational experts. Clients value her tenacity and clear communication.
Jason Diaz: Experienced Hearing Attorney
Jason Diaz focuses on disability hearings. Licensed since 2016, he has practiced exclusively in Social Security Disability law since 2018 and has participated in more than one thousand SSDI and SSI hearings.
Born and raised in Chicago, Jason previously handled consumer bankruptcy cases. He earned his degree from Northeastern Illinois University and his law degree from the John Marshall Law School. Clients often comment on how he puts them at ease during a stressful process.
Kevin Lichtenthal: Insurance Background Turned Advocate
Kevin Lichtenthal brings a unique perspective. Before becoming a lawyer, he worked as a claims examiner for a private long-term disability insurance company. That experience taught him how benefit programs evaluate claims from the inside.
He later decided to represent the people whose claims he once reviewed. Kevin holds degrees in health education and public health policy and management. He graduated from the Phoenix School of Law in 2010 and now focuses on Social Security Disability cases in the Chicago area. His background helps him anticipate the kinds of evidence and arguments that decision-makers find persuasive.
Supporting Hearing and Case Management Attorneys
The hearing team also includes experienced advocates such as those who have successfully represented clients in thousands of Administrative Law Judge Hearings. Case management is led by attorneys including Dan Rosen, who oversee evidence gathering, appeals, and ongoing communication with Social Security.
Every client works with both an attorney and a dedicated case manager or paralegal. This structure ensures that medical records are collected promptly, deadlines are met, and clients receive regular updates.
How the Team Structure Supports Clients at Every Stage
Nash Disability Law organizes its work into specialized teams so that clients receive focused attention:
- Intake Team: Evaluates new cases, explains options, and starts the claim on the right foot.
- Case Management Team: Tracks the application, gathers medical evidence, files appeals, and responds to Social Security requests.
- Hearing Team: Prepares clients for testimony and represents them before the Administrative Law Judge.
- Benefits Team: Ensures approved clients receive the correct monthly amount and any back benefits promptly.
This division of labor means no claim falls through the cracks. Clients always have access to attorneys, not just non-attorney representatives. The firm emphasizes that every person who uses Nash Disability Law for benefits has an attorney present at their disability hearing.
The Value of Local Knowledge and Personal Service
Chicago-area disability cases benefit from attorneys who understand local medical providers, common job markets, and the tendencies of area Administrative Law Judges. Nash Disability Law maintains offices in Chicago and Palos Hills and serves clients throughout Illinois and Indiana. The team also speaks Spanish and Polish, making the process more accessible for many families.
Unlike national firms that may assign a different person at each stage, Nash clients build ongoing relationships with their legal team. Attorneys prepare clients before hearings rather than meeting them for the first time on the day of the hearing. After approval, the firm follows up to confirm that benefits start correctly.
The firm’s record reflects this approach. Nash Disability Law has helped more people in the Chicago area win disability benefits than any other law firm, according to its own reporting based on Social Security data.
Understanding the SSDI Application Process with Expert Guidance
The process typically includes:
- Initial application and medical evidence review by the Bureau of Disability Determination Services.
- Reconsideration if denied.
- Request for an Administrative Law Judge Hearing.
- Possible Appeals Council or federal court review.
Most successful claims are won at the hearing level. Experienced Chicago Disability Lawyers know how to develop the medical and vocational evidence that persuades judges. They also prepare clients to answer questions clearly about their limitations and daily activities.
Common pitfalls include incomplete medical records, failure to follow prescribed treatment without good reason, and inconsistent statements about work ability. The Nash team helps clients avoid these issues from the start.
What Clients Can Expect When Working with the Team
From the first contact, the process is designed to reduce stress:
- Free initial evaluation of the claim.
- No attorney fee unless benefits are won. The fee is paid from past-due benefits and is capped by Social Security rules.
- Clear explanations in everyday language.
- Regular updates on case status.
- Preparation for every stage, including mock questions before a hearing.
Clients often say the personal attention stands out. The attorneys and staff understand that disability claims arise during some of the hardest periods in a person’s life. They treat each case with the care that situation demands.
Real-World Impact of Focused Disability Advocacy
Consider a typical scenario. A Chicago factory worker develops severe back problems and depression after years of physical labor. An initial application is denied. With help from the Nash team, additional specialist records and detailed functional assessments are obtained. At the hearing, the attorney questions the vocational expert effectively and presents a clear picture of why the client cannot perform past work or other substantial gainful activity. Benefits are approved, providing monthly income and eventual Medicare eligibility.
Similar results occur for clients with mental health conditions, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, and childhood disabilities. The common thread is thorough preparation and genuine advocacy.
Conclusion
The attorneys and support professionals at Nash Disability Law bring decades of focused experience, local knowledge, and a genuine commitment to helping people with disabilities. From the founding vision of Tom Nash to the current leadership of Lawrence Mabes and the dedicated work of Demetra Geller, Amy Altbach, Jason Diaz, Kevin Lichtenthal, and the rest of the team, the firm prioritizes personal service and strong advocacy.
If you or a loved one in the Chicago area is struggling with a disability claim, the next step is simple. Contact Nash Disability Law for a free evaluation of your case. The team at nashdisabilitylaw.com Meet The Team Attorneys stands ready to guide you through the process and fight for the benefits you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main attorneys at Nash Disability Law?
The team includes Managing Attorney Lawrence Mabes, Demetra Geller, Amy Altbach, Jason Diaz, Kevin Lichtenthal, and other experienced disability advocates. The firm has more than a dozen attorneys focused exclusively on Social Security Disability and SSI.
Does every client get an attorney at the hearing?
Yes. Nash Disability Law ensures that an attorney represents the client at the Administrative Law Judge Hearing. Clients also have access to attorneys throughout the process.
How much does it cost to hire the firm?
There is no fee unless the client wins benefits. The attorney fee is paid from back benefits according to Social Security rules and is subject to a statutory cap.
What areas does the firm serve?
The firm primarily serves the Chicago metropolitan area, the rest of Illinois, and Indiana. It also assists clients in other locations when appropriate.
Can the team help with childhood SSI or Disabled Adult Child claims?
Yes. Amy Altbach leads childhood SSI work, and the firm regularly handles Disabled Adult Child benefits cases.
How long does the process usually take?
Timelines vary, but many claims take many months or longer. Having experienced representation helps avoid unnecessary delays and strengthens the case at each stage.
What if English is not my first language?
The firm has staff who speak Spanish and Polish and can assist clients who prefer those languages.
You May Also Like: What Is the Supreme Law of the Land? U.S. Constitution Explained